Multi-station labelling method

ABSTRACT

Method and apparatus for applying heat transfer labels from a web or backing strip to a bottle or container. The labels which are positioned one after another on the backing strip are applied to the bottles or containers at a plurality of labelling stations such that at first station a first label from a sequence of labels is transferred and at a second station positioned downstream from the first station a subsequent label of the sequence of labels is then transferred.

United States Patent [191 [111 3,709,755 Wochner 1 Jan. 9, 1973 1MULTI-STATION LABELLING [56] References Cited METHOD UNITED STATESPATENTS [75] Inventor: Fred Joseph Wochuer, Holliston,

Mass, 3,565,721 2/1971 Spauldmg et a1. ..156/256 3,064,714 11/1962 Flood..l56/542 [73] Assignee: Dennison Manufacturing Company,

Ffamingham, Mass- Primary Examiner-Robert F. Burnett AssistantExaminer-Robert A. Dawson 11 [22] Flled Sept 1970 Attorney-Sewall P.Bronstein and Donald Brown [21] App1.No.: 71,598

[5 7] ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl. ..l56/235, 156/238, 156/247, Method andapparatus for applying heat transfer 156/ 156/567 labels from a web orbacking strip to a bottle or con- [51] Int. Cl. ..B65c 3/08, B650 9/06tainer. The labels which are positioned one after [58] Field of Search...53/21 1, 216; 83/924; 156/156, another on the backing strip areapplied to the bottles or containers at a plurality of labellingstations such that at first station a first label from a sequence oflabels is transferred and at a second station positioned downstream fromthe first station asubsequent label of the sequence of labels is thentransferred.

8 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTED JAN I975 SHEET 2 [IF 4 x052 TowINVENTOR FRED d. WOCHNER A i ToRNEYs PATENTEDJAN 9191s SHEET 3 []F 4INVENTOR I1 HMWEE FRED J. WOCHNER,

7 610m M6 2, WA;

TTORNEYS PATENTEDJAN 9 ms 3. 709.755

snmuura INVENTOR FRED J. WOCHNER BY MOTOR GEAR BOX W ATTORNEYSMULTl-STATION LABELLING METHOD FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention isrelated to a method and apparatus (machine) for applying labels tobottles, containers or the like. More particularly, this invention isdirected to a new and improved method and apparatus for transferringheat transfer labels from a backing strip to a number of bottles,containers or the like positioned at a plurality of labelling stations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Heat transfer labelling systems have comeinto wide use over the past few years. Essentially such systems includea conveyor for feeding bottles, a turret for positioning the bottles oneat a time at a labelling station, a feed mechanism for transportinglabels supported on a backing strip to the labelling station, and meansfor pressing the label against the bottle as the bottle and the labelare moved together. Such systems are shown in US. Pat. Nos. 2,981,432;3,036,624; 3,064,7l4; 3,208,897; 3,231,448; 3,3l3,667; and 3,26l,734.Label bearing strips for the above systems is shown in US. Pat. No.2,862,832.

Although such systems have been widely used and are most satisfactory inoperation, the production rate of these devices are naturally limited bythe physical time required to move and position the bottles. Thus, tospeed up production, it has become desirable to utilize two labellingmachines or systems simultaneously.

Even though this may not be a significant economic hardship to the largecompany or user it is a significant factor which has limited wideracceptance of heat transfer labelling systems.

This fact of economic life has become quite apparent in trying to sellheat transfer labelling systems in the overseas markets. In countrieswhere capital is scarce, very often the prospective customer can illafi'ord the cost-of the second machine.

In view of the above it has become a necessity that if one is to competesuccessfully overseas with other types of labelling systems, one mustprovide a single system (single machine) which will providesubstantially the same production rate of two machines operatingseparately.

THE INVENTION OVERCOMES THE PRIOR ART DISADVANTAGES The presentinvention provides a single labelling machine or system which is capableof providing substantially the same production rate of labelled bottleswhich is heretofore been accomplished by utilizing two separatelabelling machines or systems. This has been accomplished bytransferring labels from a web or backing strip in a manner such thatthe first label of a series is applied to a bottle at one station whilea subsequent or a second label in the series'(either similar ordissimilar to the first label) is applied to a bottle at a secondstation at a point downstream from the first station.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The apparatus of this inventionincludes a plurality of turrets positioned alongside each other, each ofsaid turrets adapted to receive bottle (e.g., round, oval etc.)

containers or the like, generally constructed of plastic (all of whichare henceforth referred to as bottles for convenience). The turrets areadapted to be rotated as disclosed in the aforementioned patents toposition'the bottles, one at a time, at labelling stations and move thebottles so that a label may be applied.

The turrets are of the type constructed as in the aforementioned patentsor may be molded from plastic or the like. The turrets are preferablymoved in unison and driven by the same drive mechanism which couplesthem together such that they move substantially simultaneously toposition different bottles at different stations, at the same time, toreceive labels.

Labels are preferably provided by a single backing strip or web which isdriven in a manner such that in a two turret two station machine, thefirst label of a sequence of labels is applied at a first station and asubsequent or second label of the sequence is then moved past the firststation (skips the first station) and is positioned at a later time atthe second station (downstream from the first station) so that a labelcan be applied to a bottle positioned at the second station. Preferablythe first and second stations are positioned with respect to each otherand the positioning of the labels on the backing strip so that a labelcan simultaneously be applied from the backing strip to bottles at thefirst and second stations. Thus, for example, the odd labels and theeven labels of a sequence can be applied at the first and secondstations. It should be understood that the turrets are generallypositioned more than I label distance apart, so long as the turrets arepositioned a distance apart whereby one turret is adapted to carrybottles to receive the odd positioned labels on the web and the otherturret is adapted to receive the even positioned labels on the web. Thelabels are separated from the backing strip in the conventional manner,as shown in the aforementioned patents by first applying heat theretoand then pressing the labels (by use of a label pressing means, e.g., aroller) against the bottles as the bottles as well as the strip aremoved in the conventional manner. Thus, if one wished to apply differentlabels at different stations, every other label carried by the backingstrip could be different or if one wanted to apply the same labels tothe back and front of the same bottles a conveyor may be providedbetween the two turrets as disclosed herein. It should also beunderstood that more than two turrets could be operated in this manner,as for example, a three turret, three station machine can be provided.In this case the backing strip would be moved such that every thirdlabel carried thereby would be applied at each station.

With the machine of this invention it would also be possible to applytwo different labels positioned on a backing strip one above the otherat different labelling stations, but in this case, each label of the topand bottom sequence of labels would stop at each labelling station. Inthis case one turret and the label pressing means could be positionedvertically below the other turret or if the second label is to beapplied at a different position on the bottle face, the label pressingmeans at one station may be positioned below or above the label pressingmeans of the other station.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top diagrammatic view ofthe machine according to the invention;

FIG. 2A is a view of the web or backing strip carrying labels;

FIG. 2B is a view of the backing strip of FIG. 2 except that one of thelabels has been removed;

FIG. 3 is a top view with certain parts removed showing the operatingparts of the machine for applying labels to bottles;

FIG. 4 is a top view with certain parts removed showing the mechanismfor rotating the turrets;

FIG. 5 is a side view, partially in section, of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view showing the gearing for driving themetering and takeup rolls for feeding the labels;

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view similar to FIG. 1, except that a conveyorsystem is shown so that two sides of a bottle may be labelled at twostations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In FIG. 1 there isdiagrammatically shown the construction of the apparatus of thisinvention. The apparatus includes two (4 bottle) turrets 10 and 11having cutouts 12 and 13 for positioning bottles (e.g., oval bottles) tobe labelled. Bottles are transported to and away from the turrets l0 and11 by conveyors l4 and having belts 14a and 14b and 15a and 15b. Thestrip or web carrying the labels is shown at 16 and is fed from a feedroll 17 through a plurality of dancer and idler rolls (not numbered) toa metering roll 18. Thence the strip 16 passes over shuttle and idlerrolls (not numbered) until it passes over a label preheater 19. Afterthe label bearing strip is heated it proceeds to labelling station No.1, shown at 20 where it is pressed against a bottle by a roller 21(preferably rubber) carried by a heated platen 22. To accomplish thelabelling operation, the turret is preferably simultaneously movedcounterclockwise while the label bearing strip 16 moves to the left ofFIG. 1 such that the label is wiped onto the bottle surface. This is theconventional mode of transfer for heat transfer labels as shown in theaforementioned patents.

Thereafter the strip 16 proceeds through a guide 24 to the labellingstation No. 2, shown at 25. The strip is preheated by a heater element26 and thence it is passed between a roller 27 and the turret ll bearingbottle. The roller is supported by a heated platen 28. The label isapplied to the bottles at the second station in the same manner as atthe first station. Thereafter the strip, now devoid of labels is passedover a plurality of rolls (not numbered) to a takeup reel 29. The takeupreel as well as the metering roll are preferably driven in unison offthe same drive as will be described later. Preferably the turrets andthe rolls are moved in unison to effect a substantially simultaneoustransfer of labels at the first and second stations from the strip 16.The turrets are moved simultaneously as will later be described withreference to 4 and- 5. The mechanism for simultaneously positioning therolls 21 and 27 is accomplished as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 by theprovision of a cam 30 which engages a cam follower 31 mounted on a lever32. The lever is pivoted at 33 such that it is adapted to press theplaten 22 and the roll 21 against the label bearing strip 16. The lever32 is springloaded against the cam 30 by the provision of a spring 34.In order to substantially simultaneously move the second roller 27against the label bearing strip, there is provided a second lever 35which is adopted to rotate about point 36. The lever 35 is coupledthrough rods 37 and 38 and pivot member 39 to the lever 32. Thus, as thecam 30 rotates it will simultaneously cause both rolls 21 and 27 to moveagainst the label bearing strip to efi'ect a transfer of a label. Itshould be understood that both rolls can be pressed downwardly by theuse of independent cam means and in addition can be moved one after theother in applications where, such as to conserve power or where it isdesirable to label first one bottle at station 1 and than another atstation 2 or vise versa. The cam 30 is driven from the machine motor 40through a conventional box gear 41. As may be observed from FIG. 3, webor strip guide bars 42 and 43 are provided at stations one and two tocontrol the positioning of the strip with respect to the rolls and thebottles.

Reference should again be had to FIG. 1 taken in conjunction with FIGS.2A, 2B and 6 for a description of the motion of the label bearing stripor web 16. In FIG. 2A is shown in more detail a portion of the labelbearing strip 16. The label bearing strip is preferably made asdisclosed in US. Pat. No. 2,862,832, and comprises a paper backing 16ahaving a marginal role of sprocket holes 16b. The paper backing 16a isprovided with a coating of oxidizable wax and print representing labels16C1, 16C2 and 16C3 thereon. The wax coating is heat activatable so thatafter heating and when a label is pressed against a bottle or anotherarticle by a roller engaging the back of the strip, a label transfer isaccomplished. This type of label backing strip and labels areconventional to the art and are sold by the Dennison ManufacturingCompany of Framingham, Massachusetts for use with its TherimageApplication System.

If we assume that backing strip of FIG. 2A is moved to the station 1shown at 25, the first label I6Cl of the sequence is transferred byforcing the roller 21 downwardly while simultaneously moving the turretand the strip in the conventional manner as described in theaforementioned US. Pat. Nos. 3,064,7'l4 and 3,208,897. After the firstlabel 16Cl is removed from the backing strip 16, the backing strip isshown in FIG. 28 wherein labels 16C2 and 16C3 remain. Thereafter thebacking strip 16 is moved to the left of FIGS. 1 and 3, so that thelabel 16C2 (even numbered label and next adjacent label) is positionedat the second station 25, (downstream from the first station 20) and thenext label 16C3 (2nd odd numbered label in the sequence) is nowpositioned at the first station. Now the labels are pressed againstbottles at the first and second stations, as the bottles at bothstations as well as the web is moved as is conventional as shown by theaforemen tioned patents.

For simplicity of description, adjacent labels of a sequence of labelsare shown as being simultaneously positioned at the first and secondstations, however it should be understood that normally the turretsand/or stations are positioned apart such that'the bottle surfaces to belabelled are separated by more than one feed length and by an odd numberof feed lengths. The term feed length is defined as the length of onelabel or decoration plus the space between adjacent labels on the web.Thus, there may be more than one even positioned label remaining on theweb between the two stations after the odd numbered labels are removedfrom the web at the first station.

In order to feed the labels such that the first in a series (oddnumbered labels) can be transferred at the first station and the secondof the series (even numbered labels) can be applied at a second station,that is every other label is applied at different stations, there isprovided as shown in FIG. 7 gearing means for driving the metering roll18 as well as the takeup reel 29. The gearing means shown foraccomplishing this is as shown in the aforementioned US. Patents and isthe same mechanism as presently used in the Model TD-lB TherimageApplicator sold by Dennison Manufacturing Company, and comprises gears50, 51 and 52, gear 52 being mounted on gear 51 and is movabletherewith. By selecting the number of gear teeth for these gears, thefeed length or an integral number of feed lengths (e.g., in inches) canbe attained.

The gear 52 drives a gear 53 coupled to the shaft 54 of the meteringroll 18. To drive the takeup reel 29 there is provided a chain drive 55coupled to gears 56 and 57. The gear 56 is mounted on the shaft 54 andthe gear 57 is mounted on the shaft 58 of the takeup reel 29.

Reference should now be had to FIGS. 4 and 5 which illustrate amechanism .for simultaneously moving two turrets of the two stationmachine except that instead of four position turrets, two three positionturrets are shown bearing the same numbers an in FIGS. 1 and 3. A turretindexing shuttle 65 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is adapted to reciprocateas shown by the two headed arrow 66. The shuttle is driven by the motor40 through the gear box 41 and thence through the combination of a heartshaped cam arrangement which includes an indexing slide, which is shownas the box 67. The cam, slide, motor, gear box and shuttle areconventional and are a part of the aforementioned Model TD-IB TherimageApplicator and is as shown in US. Pat. Nos. 2,981,432, 3,261,734,3,064,714 and 3,208,897 as well as that shown in the otheraforementioned patents. The shuttle 66 drives a tube 69 having a rack 70attached thereto, which is again conventional as shown in the abovementioned patents. The rack 70 and the tube 69 as an assembly rotates arack pinion gear 71 to which there is attached a turret ratchet 72. Theturret ratchet 72 operates a turret pawl 73 (having the same number ofcutouts or detents of bottle holder positions as in the turret)connected to a shaft 74 for rotating the turret 10. The first shaft 74as well as the tube 69 is supported by a support assembly generallyshown at 75A which is mounted on the machine bed 76. In order to drivethe second turret 11 in unison with the first turret the tube 69 isextended by the provision of a tube 80 threadedly coupled to a secondtube 81 which also has a rack 82 attached thereto. The rack 82 drives arack pinion gear 83 to which there is attached a turret ratchet 84. Theturret ratchet 84 indexes a turret pawl 85 fixedly attached to a turretshaft 86 in order to index the turret 11. The shaft 86 as well as thesupport for the tube 80 is provided by a support assembly 75B mounted onthe machine bed 76. The sequence of indexing, that is the dwell timesand the time of movement of both of the turrets is as described in theaforementioned patents and further as disclosed in the Model TD-lBDecorator Applicator previously mentioned as well as in the bookentitled Installation, Operation and Maintenance Manual for the ModelTD- B Decorating System which employs the Therimage Process by Dennisonand which is distributed by the Dennison Manufacturing Company with itsModel TD- 18 Applicator.

As previously mentioned, the web or strip 16 is moved by the shuttlerolls during the application of a label to the bottle and simultaneouslywith the rotation of the bottle by the turret so as to permit the labelto be rolled onto the bottle. This is accomplished by the provision of,as shown in FIG. 3, a label feed shuttle 90 reciprocated from the motor40 and gear box 41 by the cam and a slide of the type described withreference to FIGS. 4 and 5. Shuttle rolls 91 and 92 coupled to theshuttle 90 are provided to cause the web 16 to move to the left of FIGS.1 and 3 when the label is being applied to the bottle in both turrets.The shuttle assembly as well as the shuttle rolls are again conventionalas shown in the aforementioned patents as well as in the Model TD- 1 BApplicator. Dancer rolls are shown at 93 and 94 of FIG. 1 and are thesame as disclosed in the patents noted above as well as in the TD-lBApplicator. The dancer rolls are operated and moved as disclosed in theprior art noted above by a cylinder to maintain constant tension on feedand takeup of the web.

In FIG. 7 there is shown the apparatus of this invention, except thatinstead of a four bottle turret, two three bottle turrets are shown at95 and 96. This figure also illustrates a conveyor which is adapted tofeed bottles to turret 95 and carry them away after they are labelled onone side. The conveyor 100 is also adapted to bring the bottles afterthey are labelled on one side to the second turret 95 and place them inthis turret such that they are in position to be labelled on theopposite side thereof. Thereafter the conveyor is adapted to carry awaythe bottles from the turret 96. The conveyor 100 includes conveyor belts101, 102, 103 104 and 105 moving as shown by the arrows to accomplishthe above. In addition, if it is deemed desirable, conventional bottleturners and a different configuration conveyor may be utilized toaccomplish the same result.

Although not shown in the drawings, the device of this invention caninclude means for holding the top of the bottle during labelling, meansfor inflating the bottle during labelling and in the case of certainshape bottles (e.g., round bottles) means for rotating the bottles.These later features are well known in the art as shown in theaforementioned patents.

It will thus be seen that this invention has provided a new and improvedmethod and apparatus for labelling bottles held by more than one turretfrom a web carrying labels thereon. Since certain changes may be made incarrying out the method as well as in the constructions of the apparatusshown without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, itis intended that all matter contained in the above description and shownin the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative andnot in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended tocover all the generic and specific features of the invention hereindescribed, and all statements of the scope of the invention, which as amatter of language might be said to fall therebetween.

I claim:

1. In a method of applying labels to bottles from a web carrying thelabels in a predetermined sequence one after the other such that thefirst label in said sequence on the web is applied to the bottle at thefirst station and the next consecutive label upstream in said sequenceon the web is applied to a bottle at a second station positioneddownstream from the first first station which comprises moving the weband labels carried thereon between the first and second labellingstations in a manner such that the first label in the sequence ispositioned at said first station and applied to a bottle and the nextlabel upstream in the sequence is moved past said first station to saidsecond station while remaining on said web where it is also applied to abottle.

2. In a method according to claim 1 in which the stations aresubstantially an odd number of feed lengths apart wherein the feedlength is defined as the length of one label plus the space betweenadjacent labels.

3. In a method according to claim 2 in which each station has a separateturret for positioning bottles with respect to the web and in which theturrets are moved in unison.

4. In a method according to claim 3 in which the labels are applied ateach station by simultaneously pressing the labels against bottles atboth stations while the bottles and the web are being moved.

5. A method of applying labels carried on aweb at a plurality ofstations to bottles positioned at the stations which comprises moving aweb supporting a plurality of removable labels thereon in spredetermined sequence one after the other to the stations such that alabel is provided at each of the stations, said labels remaining on theweb until removed from the web, thereafter simultaneously moving thebottles at each station and the web at each station while pressing theweb along selected positions thereof against the bottles to remove thelabels from the web and apply a label to the bottles at each of thestations, and then moving web portions free of labels away from thestations after the labels are removed therefrom.

6. A method according to claim 5 wherein the first label and all oddnumbered labels thereafter of the sequence are applied to bottles at onestation and the next adjacent or second label of the sequence and alleven numbered labels thereafter are applied to bottles at anotherstation which is downstream from the other station.

7. A method according to claim 6 in which the stations are positionedwith respect to each other such that they are substantially an oddnumber of feed lengths apart wherein the feed length is defined as thelength of one label plus the space between labels carried on the web.

8. A method according to claim 7 wherein the labels applied at the firststation of the plurality of stations and at the next station of theplurality of stations which is downstream from said first station areseparated by more than one feed length.

1. In a method of applying labels to bottles from a web carrying thelabels in a predetermined sequence one after the other such that thefirst label in said sequence on the web is applied to the bottle at thefirst station and the next consecutive label upstream in said sequenceon the web is applied to a bottle at a second station positioneddownstream from the first first station which comprises moving the weband labels carried thereon between the first and second labellingstations in a manner such that the first label in the sequence ispositioned at said first station and applied to a bottle and the nextlabel upstream in the sequence is moved past said first station to saidsecond station while remaining on said web where it is also applied to abottle.
 2. In a method according to claim 1 in which the stations aresubstantially an odd number of feed lengths apart wherein the feedlength is defined as the length of one label plus the space betweenadjacent labels.
 3. In a method according to claim 2 in which eachstation has a separate turret for positioning bottles with respect tothe web and in which the turrets are moved in unison.
 4. In a methodaccording to claim 3 in which the labels are applied at each station bysimultaneously pressing the labels against bottles at both stationswhile the bottles and the web are being moved.
 5. A method of applyinglabels carried on a web at a plurality of stations to bottles positionedat the stations which comprises moving a web supporting a plurality ofremovable labels thereon in s predetermined sequence one after the otherto the stations such that a label is provided at each of the stations,said labels remaining on the web until removed from the web, thereaftersimultaneously moving the bottles at each station and the web at eachstation while pressing the web along selected positions thereof againstthe bottles to remove the labels from the web and apply a label to thebottles at each of the stations, and then moving web portions free oflabels away from the stations after the labels are removed therefrom. 6.A method according to claim 5 wherein the first label and all oddnumbered labels thereafter of the sequence are applied to bottles at onestation and the next adjacent or second label of the sequence and alleven numbered labels thereafter are applied to bottles at anotherstation which is downstream from the other station.
 7. A methodaccording to claim 6 in which the stations are positioned with respectto each other such that they are substantially an odd number of feedlengths apart wherein the feed lEngth is defined as the length of onelabel plus the space between labels carried on the web.
 8. A methodaccording to claim 7 wherein the labels applied at the first station ofthe plurality of stations and at the next station of the plurality ofstations which is downstream from said first station are separated bymore than one feed length.